As two of the most successful music artists of all time, Beyoncé and Jay-Z are the very definition of a power couple. Having been together for more than two decades, you rarely hear one of their names without thinking of the other.
Despite a 'rocky patch' in 2014 and relentless press attention surrounding their relationship and respective careers, the couple has stood by each other over the years and welcomed three children in the process – two daughters and a son.
However, one thing that has always been up for debate is exactly when the famous couple first met and how soon after they started dating. Resurfaced pictures from the early days of their relationship have left a lot of fans confused. Here's what we know...
When did Jay-Z and Beyoncé first meet?
According to Jay-Z during his 2007 interview with Charlie Rose, he met Beyoncé 'ten years ago' in 1997, which means she was 16 and he was 28.
In another interview from 2007, Jay-Z said he noticed Beyoncé 'as soon as she started recording'. She was 16 when she released her first single 'No, No, No' with Destiny's Child.
However, talking to Seventeen in 2008, Beyoncé said, 'I was 18 when we first met, and 19 when we started dating.' If they started dating in 1999 when Beyoncé was 19, then Jay-Z would have been 30 or 31.
This is something Jay-Z reportedly references in his song 'Young Girl' with Pharrell Williams where he raps, 'Hov' got a young girl/ Still not quite 21/ So high strung, such a vibrant thing/ I introduce myself, "Hi, Miss Thing"/ You're 19?/ No, you're lightning in a bottle I give you a ring.'
There are a few pictures of the couple from this period doing the rounds on social media and fans can't work out whether Beyoncé was 16 or 18 in the photos.
How old are Beyoncé and Jay-Z now?
Beyoncé is currently 43 years old and Jay-Z is 55, but the discourse reveals just how many fans weren't aware of their 'age gap relationship'.
When did Jay-Z and Beyoncé get married?
The A-list couple got married in a secret ceremony at their home in New York in April 2008. Guests included Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Do Beyoncé and Jay-Z have children?
In January 2012, they welcomed their first child together, a daughter called Blue Ivy. Five years later in June 2017, they had boy-girl twins called Rumi and Sir.
Blue Ivy is currently 12 years old and Rumi and Sir are 7 years old.
How long have Jay-Z and Beyoncé been together?
Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been together for at least 24 years, if not 26. During the summer of 2014, there were reports that the couple may have split after a leaked video of Jay-Z and Beyoncé's sister Solange Knowles arguing in a lift at the Met Gala went viral.
At the time, they released a statement to clear up the rumours. It read, 'There has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologised to each other and we have moved forward as a united family.
'The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false. At the end of the day, families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same.'
It was later reported that Jay-Z had allegedly cheated on his wife. In 2016, Beyoncé released her album Lemonade where she seemingly references the rumours in full force, especially in her singles, 'Hold Up' and 'Sorry'.
Despite a tumultuous few years, the couple stayed together and Beyoncé shouted out her husband during the final performance of her Formation World Tour.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across pop culture, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things TV for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow shows with equal respect).